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In Syracuse, an Onondaga County grand jury has decided not to file charges against a man who fatally shot 61-year-old Ezell Hicks during a road rage incident on April 23. The grand jury concluded that the shooter, a 43-year-old man, acted in self-defense when Hicks approached his vehicle with a large chef-style knife.
The incident occurred at the intersection of South West Street and West Fayette Street. According to CNY Central, Hicks ran a red light and confronted the shooter, who was waiting for the light to turn green. After a verbal exchange, Hicks returned to his vehicle, retrieved the knife, and advanced toward the shooter’s car. The shooter fired three shots from his legally owned 9mm handgun, hitting Hicks in the chest. Hicks died shortly after being taken to Upstate University Hospital.
Due to ongoing credible threats against the shooter, his name has not been released. Syracuse.com reported that the District Attorney's Office initially promised to release the shooter's name but reversed its decision after discovering the threats.
The decision not to charge the shooter marks a rare instance in Syracuse where a person involved in a homicide is not charged, even when claiming self-defense. The Syracuse Police Department has also refrained from releasing the shooter's identity, following the grand jury's decision.